03/15/2024
I found my rope!
I started this business as a test, my husband said "Why not make it a business?"
I remember laughing, not at him, but at the idea someone would trust me to make treats for their dogs.
I was shocked by the amount of people who came and learned about nutrition and food at our first show.
I stopped laughing and got to work.
Over the corse of several months we learned about the cost of business and the hours you are never paid for. We learned that many people feel the way we do about our pets and their well-being.
After looking at the numbers from last year's sales, we fell short of what we were hoping to see. That started a hopelessness that each month just got worse. I started thinking about shutting down rather then watch it suffer.
The economy is crap, everyone I know is personally fighting their own war in one way or another.
I asked God for a sign on what we should do.
Even after I started seeing them I refused to let myself believe it.
The first was powerful and completely unexpected. Our insurance agent called and asked how we were doing. We gave him the sad news. He was immediately upset and told us we could not stop trying. That he loved our story and why we're doing dog treats. He got me so fired up that I almost starting making treats right there! For several days his words of encouragement bounced around my head. But after a week, I lost my fire. A few days later I got an on line order, then another one, and then 2 more.
I noticed my husband was getting excited again. I love seeing him in his element, the man loves to cook and spend time in the kitchen. We both believe there is no substitution for real food. Fruit and vegetables grown from the earth and prepared in a way that is both safe and healthy for your pet to eat.
Recently I was diagnosed with PTSD. I started shutting down, closing myself off, and lost interest in everything. My therapist asked me "What do you need?"
I said without thinking, I need a rope, something to hold on to, to keep me in the here and now. To give me something to have hope in again.
I want to thank each and everyone of you who placed an order, gave words of encouragement, or just shared a hug with me. You helped me see the little signs I would have missed. We are not going to shut down! If God believes in me, and my husband believes in me, how can I possibly fail?
Joe's Cookies is my rope to the world.
Thank you all again, I pray your day is blessed!
Gina Klink
Joe's Mom
P.S. I stole this picture cause, well I mean look at those two!
